BioNanotechnology Laboratory

About BioNanotech Labs

The BioNanotechnology Lab (BNL) is a core campus facility supporting interdisciplinary research. BNL provides engineering researchers 24/7 access to a Biosafety Level 2 facility with all the tools to conduct research experiments at the interface of biology and micro and nanotechnology. The facility is open to graduate students, undergraduates, and external users.  The lab has approximately 3000 square feet of equipment and lab space.  Services provided to users include: lab orientation, tool training, and research consultation.  Instruments available to users include: 7 chemical fume hoods, 6 optical microscopes with a wide range of imaging capabilities, scanners and plate readers, 3D printer, a mask aligner and equipment for material and chemical patterning processes, a range of biochemical/molecular biological instrumentation, Biosafety cabinets, Digital PCR, qPCR, Fluidigm C1 Single-cell Auto Prep System, cold storage (3 refrigerators, 3 freezers (-20’C), 2 ultra-low freezers (-80’C), and 2 liquid nitrogen tanks), ovens and autoclaves, dish washer, purified water systems. 

 

Get Lab Access

Contact Us

Elbashir Araud, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
3256 HMNTL
(217) 300-0098
earaud@illinois.edu

Equipment List

Cell Culture Facility

  • Multiple BioSafety cabinets
  • NAPCO series 8000 WJ CO2 incubator
  • Thermo Scientific Heracell VIOS CO2 Incubators
  • CO2 Incubators Eppendorf New Brunswick S41i Incubator Shaker with 5% CO2
  • Water bath
  • Eppendorf centrifuge 5810R (temperature control)
  • Guava Technologies EasyCyte Plus Flow Cytometer

Digital PCR QuantStudioTM Absolute QTM System

This tool detects and quantifies rare genetic mutants, enabling precise cancer monitoring, facilitating the tracking of individual patients' response to therapy. The system uses microinjection molded plate technology to overcome common reagent distribution challenges of inconsistency and high dead volume. 

  • Processing time: 90 minutes 
  • Consumable plates with microfluidic array plate (MAP) technology
  • 16 samples per plate
  • Over 95% of the sample analyzed
  • 20,000 micro-chambers
  • Ability to multiple using up to four optical channels
  • Benefits include precise micro-chamber volume and consistent sample digitization

Dremel 3D40 Idea Builder 3D Printer

  • Printing Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling
  • Extruder: Direct Drive, Single Extruder
  • Build Volume: 10 x 6 x 6.7in; 402 cubic inches
  • Z-Layer Resolution: 100-300 microns
  • Filament: PLA
  • Filament Diameter: 1.75mm (0.069 in)
  • Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm (0.014 in)
  • Print File Types: .G3DREM; .gcode
  • Internal Storage: 8GB
  • Operating Interface: 4.5 full color IPS touch screen
  • Build Platform Leveling: Semi-automated Leveling
  • Extruder Maximum Temperature: 230‚°C
  • Operating Temperature: 16-29‚°C

Electrical Measurement System

  • Impedance/capacitance/resistance measurement system
  • Agilent 4284A 20 - 1M Hz Precision LCR meter
  • Agilent 34970A Data Acquisition/Switch Unit
  • Micromanipulators
  • The micromanipulator co., model 450/550 device I-V characteristic measurement system
  • Ultra low distortion function generator Stanford research systems, model DS360
  • DSP lock-in amplifier, Stanford research systems, model SR850

Fluidigm C1 Single-cell Auto Prep System

The C1 system carefully isolates single cells into individual reaction chambers in the exclusive Fluidigm  integrated fluidic circuit (IFC) 96x96. The optically clear IFC lets you automatically stain captured cells and examine them by  microscopy for viability, surface markers or reporter genes. After staining, cells are automatically lysed and template  is quickly prepared for qPCR or sequencing analysis—all in as little as four hours. 

  • Characterize selected cell populations with high molecular detection sensitivity using a broad menu of multi-omic single-cell assays.
  • C1 prepares single-cell templates for mRNA sequencing, DNA sequencing, epigenetics or miRNA expression. 
  • For more information: https://www.fluidigm.com/products-services/instruments/c1 

General Purpose Equipment

  • Eppendorf 5415D Centrifuge
  • Eppendorf 5415R Centrifuge
  • Eppendorf 5810R Centrifuge
  • Fisher Scientific Isotemp202 Heater Ultrasonic Bath
  • Labconco Freeze Dryer/Lypholizer system
  • Labconco Dishwasher
  • MilliQ Advantage Water Purification System
  • Labconco Conrolled Atmosphere Glove Box
  • Rotator, Vortex Mixers
  • Thermo Electron Orion 3 Star pH Meter, Digital Balances
  • Revco -80C Freezer,Thermo Scientific Touch Screen -80C Freezer
  • Revco 4C laboratory Refrigerator (4)
  • 120 L Cryogenic tank for cell line storage

Genomic

  • Eppendorf Realplex 4S Real-time PCR system
  • Applied Biosystems™ QuantStudio™ 3 Real-Time PCR System, 96-well
  • Labnet Gel XL Ultra V-2, Labnet international Inc, gel electrophoresis system
  • Visi-Blue trans illuminator, UVP, gel documentation system
  • BioTek Synergy HT Fluorescent Microplate Reader
  • Biorad Gel Documenta
  • Gel electrophoresis

Instrumentation

  • Beckman Coulter DelsaMax light scattering analyser for Particle sizing and Zeta potential measurement
  • Nanodrop Absorption Spectroscopy
  • GeSIM Nano-Plotter for printing protein/DNA/RNA microarray- noncontact mode micro dispensing system

Lithography

  • Specialty Coating System Spin Coater
  • Pico Diener Oxygen Plasma System
  • Stereolithographic 3D printer
  • Karl Suss MJB3 Mask Aligner

Microscope

  • Olympus BX51 Upright Fluorescence
  • Olympus IX81 Inverted Fluroscoence Microscope for live cell imaging
  • Zeiss Primovert Cell Culture Microscope
  • Leica Fluorescence Microscope

Safety Infrastructure

  • Beta Star Model N202038 Autoclave
  • Tuttnauer Brinkman 2340M Benchtop Autoclave
  • 4-foot chemical fume hoods (7)
  • NuAire Class 2 4-foot Biosafety Cabinet (5)
  • NuAire Class 2 6-foot Biosafety Cabinet
  • Handwashing sinks

BioNano Lab Hours

Open 24/7

Staff support available 9a - 5:30p

How To Use HMNTL Facilities

RATES & FEES
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SCHEDULE TOOL USE
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LAB SAFETY TRAINING
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Safety Training